Area Storm Shelters

Area Storm Shelters

In many counties in our service area, the county government, sheriff’s department, or emergency management agency (EMA) have coordinated with local churches, schools, or businesses to provide safe shelter locations for community members who might not otherwise have the needed shelter during severe weather or a tornado threat–specifically those who live in a mobile home or trailer.

In North Alabama, many communities also have community roadside storm shelters, which were installed following the April 2011 tornadoes via State and Federal grants. However, in some counties and locations where no shelter is available you will need to shelther-in-place instead of using a communal shelter.

Identifying a location to shelter-in-place…

An underground area, such as a basement or storm cellar, provides the best protection from a tornado. If an underground shelter is unavailable, consider the following:

Stay in the center of the room, and avoid corners because they attract debris

Rooms constructed with reinforced concrete, brick or block with no windows and a heavy concrete floor or roof system overhead

Avoid auditoriums, cafeterias and gymnasiums that have flat, wide-span roofs.

Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and

use pillows, blankets, or other “cushions” to protect your head and neck. As a last resort,

use your arms to protect your head and neck.

If you are in a mobile home:

Take shelter in a building with a strong foundation

If a shelter is not available, lie in a ditch or low-lying area a safe distance away from the mobile home.

Use your arms to protect head and neckMobile homes are particularly vulnerable to tornadoes. They can be easily overturned, even if precautions have been taken to tie down the unit. If you are in a mobile home when a tornado is approaching, evacuate the home immediately.

If you are outdoors or in a vehicle:

If possible, get inside a building.

If driving, NEVER try to outrun a tornado! They can change direction quickly and can instantly lift up a car, truck or any other vehicle and toss it through the air.

Get out of the vehicle immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.

If shelter is unavailable or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building.

Use your arms to protect your head and neck

Stay alert to the potential for flooding

Here is a list of area storm shelters for use in severe weather…

Marion Co., TN:

Shelter-in-place or wait until official shelter locations are announced by Sheriff’s Dept. or EMA

Tracy City
First Baptist Church
531 Main Street
Church – 592-8100
Ben or Mandy Curtis – 592-8101

Note from Grundy Co. EMA: We only encourage use of these shelters for people in unsteady buildings or mobile/modular homes. People who are traveling may also make use of shelters in times of emergency.The buildings listed above are for Thunder Storms and Tornadic Events.